\\<\/iframe\>
Today in rock history: on this date in 1974, the very first album by Canadian hard rock trio Rush was released. The self-titled record was released on independent record label Moon Records in Canada and had little impact in any markets outside of the band’s home country. That is, until a popular disc jockey in Cleveland, Ohio incorporated the album into her radio playlist. Donna Halper with influential Cleveland radio station WMMS began to regularly feature the album’s hard rocking tune “Working Man” on air which helped expose the band to that market and created serious interest in Rush and its music. Highly inspired by the music of Led Zeppelin and Cream, this first album found the power trio barreling through a variety of hard rock numbers that included classics like “Finding My Way” and “In The Mood.” The first (and only) album to feature original drummer John Rutsey, the material on the record was co-written by bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. After Rutsey’s inability to go on the road to promote the record due to a medical condition, the remaining members sought out a replacement drummer and struck gold when they welcomed the incredibly talented Neil Peart to the fold. By the band’s second album, 1975’s Fly By Night, Peart would become the primary lyricist with the band and would remain with Rush for the duration of its existence.
WHEN YOU'RE GONE
R.I.P. Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan has died at 46
Today in rock history: on this date in 1993, melodic Irish pop band the Cranberries released its first album, the cleverly titled Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?. Following a series in independently-released EPs in Ireland, the album marked the band’s major label debut after being signed to the Island Records label. A substantial success in both England and Ireland, the album made it all the way to No. 1 on album sales charts in those countries. Powered by “Linger” and “Dreams” — the catchy singles that showed off the gentle, angelic vocals of lead singer Dolores O’Riordan — the record was also a global success and achieved sales of more than 5 million copies in the United States alone. O’Riordan wrote all of the album’s lyrics herself as well as writing the majority of the music with lead guitarist Noel Hogan. Sadly, Dolores O’Riordan passed away unexpectedly in January 2018 at the age of 46 while in London for a recording session.
\\<\/iframe\>
Today in rock history: on this date in 1994, innovative American singer-songwriter Beck released his first major label album (and his third album overall), Mellow Gold. The album was a major surprise hit and achieved sales and accolades that were totally unexpected. The sudden affinity for the quirky single “Loser” helped get Beck Hansen and his major label debut album noticed. Released by DGC Records, a division of Geffen Records, the album astoundingly made it as high as No. 13 on Billboard’s pop albums chart in America and amassed U.S. sales in excess of 2 million copies. Other singles from the album included “Beercan” and “Pay No Mind (Snoozer),” but it was “Loser” and its offbeat accompanying music video that was clearly the biggest draw to Mellow Gold, an album that helped introduce Beck’s eccentric and clever work to a worldwide audience.
\\<\/iframe\>
Today in rock history: on this date in 1944, Roger Daltrey was born in East Acton, London, England. Rising to fame in the mid-1960s as the energetic and powerful lead vocalist of legendary rock band The Who, Daltrey quickly was recognized as one of the most exciting and dominant rock and roll singers of his time. Releasing a string of successful hit singles and albums throughout the band’s tenure, Daltrey’s soaring vocals made an indelible mark on the work of The Who and helped the band sell more than 100 million records worldwide. The mighty belter is known for injecting his extraordinary, brawny vocal stylings into anthems like “Baba O’Riley,” “Pinball Wizard” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” among dozens of other rock classics. Besides his work with The Who, Daltrey has also released a multitude of solo albums and has quite an impressive acting career to his credit too. An inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the Grammy Foundation, Roger Daltrey is universally regarded as one of the all-time greatest rock and roll front men and singers and is still touring and recording to this date. Click here to read our review of Daltrey's November 2017 set in Clearwater.
\\<\/iframe\>
This article appears in Mar 1-8, 2018.